15 Crops You Should Plant In Your 2026 Garden

Quick Overview

The video features four gardeners—Kevin (San Diego, CA, Zone 10b), Scott (Colorado, Zone 5b), Shannie (Central Florida, Zone 10a), and Graylen (Texas, Zone 8b)—sharing their top picks for the new growing season, focusing on unique vegetables, edible flowers, and companion plants that offer both aesthetic and practical benefits.

Key Points: Kevin (San Diego, Zone 10b) plans to grow 'Pineapple' pole tomatoes for their sweet, fruity flavor and large size, and 'True Gold' and 'Buttergold' sweet corn, recommending planting corn in blocks of 4x4 feet for successful wind pollination. Shannie (Central Florida, Zone 10a) starts tomatoes early (late January/early February) in a makeshift greenhouse, advises against starting cucumbers too early due to intense spring heat, and recommends starting them in larger cell packs (3-5 gallon pots) to avoid transplant shock. Scott (Colorado, Zone 5b) focuses on starting perennial flowers indoors early (like Pansy 'Swiss Giants Blend') to fill his raised beds with color from spring through fall, noting that starting from seed saves significant cost compared to buying nursery starts. Graylen (Texas, Zone 8b) highlights Nasturtium 'Peach Melba' as a heat and drought-tolerant annual that attracts beneficial pollinators and is entirely edible, making it a great companion plant for vegetables like strawberries and tomatoes. Graylen also recommends Echinacea 'Purple Coneflower' and 'White Swan' as perennials that provide long-lasting color, attract butterflies and bees, and have edible parts, although he notes their height can cast shade. The video emphasizes selecting plants suitable for specific growing conditions (heat, cold, pollination needs) and highlights the benefits of companion planting for pest control (e.g., Nasturtiums deterring aphids).

Context: This video compiles recommendations from four different gardeners—Kevin in Southern California (Zone 10b), Scott in Colorado (Zone 5b), Shannie in Central Florida (Zone 10a), and Graylen in Texas (Zone 8b)—on what they are excited to plant in their respective gardens for the upcoming growing season. The selections cover vegetables, flowers, and companion plants, tailored to their unique climate zones, demonstrating diverse gardening strategies across different regions.